Algae

[luther04]

Hi,

I have a 2 feet planted tank with occasional algae prob.
How can I get rid of hair algae from my plants & spotted algae on my tanks?
Tried a few anti algae solutions but just a few drops a week is enough to kill my Amano shrimps and ramhorn snails.

Tried of cleaning weekly.

tank: 2x1.5x1
light: 2x24 watts
Filter: Ext Jebo 1300L/H
Chiller: NA <tank temp is 30ºC in avg)
Plants: mainly Blyxa japonica and a few nanas
Livestocks: 2 Blue Rams, 1 Otto and 2 Amano Shirmps (dare not add more as I want to get rid of Aglae and allow all plants to grow healthly first.)

Your kind advises and suggestions will be appreciated.

cheers

Luther

[equidorz]

GSA is very common in planted tanks, only way out is to manually scrape th
Off. As for the hair algae maybe u can add some saes, but get the juveniles. do regular water changes and siphon away dead leaves / debris there are hidden. Also you might wana look into Yr canister might be that you haven wash the canister for a period of time? try improving on the water circulation In your tank as well. That's about all I can advice. Hope the other bros here can help you more.

[Navanod]

GSA is not possible to prevent or totally eradicate. I did read something about GSA being caused by low phosphate, and that its the only thing that EI dosing cannot prevent.

IMHO, its better to have some GSA than to have BBA and staghorns.
One very good way to remove GSA I found (instead of getting razorblade scapers from the LFS or using credit cards, hehe), is to use the white malamine sponge (normally used for washing cars) to polish the GSA off.
Can easily find at NTUC or daiso, and very cheap. Works like a charm, is faster and no need to use alot of strength

For hair algae, you have to address the problem thats causing it, then use shrimps to eat the dying hair algae.

[luther04]

There are also BBA on my rocks and plants.. Tried rubbing off some with my fingers, to clear all simply impossible...

I am clearing the GSA with normal sponge will try malamine sponge..

Why algae go more effectively than the plants?
My cleaning rate simply cant keep up with their growing rate.

Thanks for shring guys.

cheers

[Shadow]

Try not to scrap BBA. Those break beard can stick to other plant and start to grow. You will be over run with BBA in no time.

If it is on the plant, just trim the plant. If it is on the rock or wood and if you can take it out, just take out and clean it outside your tank. If cannot take out, use H2O2 or excel spot treatment to kill it.